If you're anything like me, you probably have more than a few unused notebooks on your bookshelf. In fact, you might have so many that you don't even know what to do with them. However, do not fret; notebooks are versatile and can be used for multiple reasons. Whatever the type of notebook, whether it's spiral bound, bound, big, small, dotted, lined or graphed notebooks, here are some ideas for you to fill them up.
1. Journal/Diary
This might seem a little obvious, but using a journal can be the most fulfilling thing. It allows you to reflect on your life and get your thoughts out. When something is heavy on my mind, I always write it down in my journal.
It's almost as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It can also help you practice handwriting and writing skills. You will also be able to recall fun memories you had because of your entries.
2. Bullet journal/Planner
The bullet journal is a planning and organization system developed by designer Ryder Carroll. It allows you to plan, set reminders, make to-do lists, time block, brainstorm, etc. in a single notebook all while boosting productivity. People who bullet journal tend to use dotted notebooks, but you can use any notebook you have available. You can even make yours online!
As for actually starting your bujo, you can choose to go for a simple and minimalistic look (like the original planner) or you can go for a more elaborate design (like the monthly spreads by Amanda Rach Lee). It all depends on how much time you have and on your personal taste. You can even choose to have a bullet journal that is both minimalistic and artistic!
3. Vision board journal
Record all your big dreams in this journal. To make your own vision board journal, open up a new page, grab some old magazines, newspapers, or print out your own photos and get gluing! You could make a vision board of your goals for the next month, year, or even for your whole life!
4. Scrapbook
Scrapbooks are similar to journals, but they are next-level. Use a wide-enough notebook to fill yours with different layers of scrap paper, stickers, photos, little notes, stamps, envelopes, etc. I recommend keeping a box or folder with all the supplies you can use in your scrapbook.
Collect little scraps of paper from newspapers, magazines, old craft paper, old wrapping paper, or any other piece of paper you think you can use in your scrapbook. Mei Ying Chow has lots of videos on her YouTube channel where she shows her scrapbooking process.
5. Lists
Use any notebook of your choosing and write lists. For example, movies and TV shows to watch, books to read, a bucket list, a playlist, recipes to try, new words you learned, etc. When you finish watching that movie, or when you go cliff jumping (which has been on your bucket list for months), you can either cross it out or check it off.
6. Dream diary
When you wake up in the morning, write down everything you remember from your previous night's dream. Make sure to keep the journal on your night stand or near your bed! It's funny to look back at the dreams and see how ridiculous they were. Continuously writing down your dreams will help improve your memory, and you will be able to remember your dreams more easily later on.
7. Gratitude journal
Write everything you're grateful for in this notebook. You can even make it look a little like a scrapbook with different layers and colors, or you can keep it simple and write a list. Gratitude has been proven to improve sleep, lower stress levels, and help you have a more positive outlook on life.
8. Book log
Books, books and more books! Make a TBR (to-be-read) spread with all the books you want to read, and a spread with all the books you have read. You can make a table with the book's name, the author, when you started and finished reading it and a star rating. You can even make full-page spreads with a review for a particular book you really liked or didn't like at all.
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
9. TV show/Movie journal
Do you love watching movies and TV shows? This journal would be similar to that of the book log but instead is for movies and TV shows. Make lists of ones you'd like to watch, a rating page, separate review pages, spreads with your favorite actors and the shows/movies they acted in, and you could even make an episode tracker to see how far into a show you are.
Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
10. Writing notebook
Do you love writing? Well a writing notebook is something you need to have! You can plan and outline stories, write poems, insert your favorite quotes from books, make a list of interesting words you learned (for example, synonyms of the word “talk”), and so much more!
You can also simply write down ideas that come into your head throughout the day and when you have writer's block in the future, you can look back at all the ideas you had and choose your favorite one. A writing notebook can be anything you want it to be so be creative!
Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash
11. Unsent letters
Have you ever wanted to tell someone something but never did? Instead of expressing all of those emotions of anger, grief, or love directly towards them, write a letter to them in a “things-I-wish-I-said” or “unsent letters” notebook. Of course, the whole point of the idea is not to send it to them, but it will help you feel relieved and could help you grow from the person you were when you felt those emotions.
12. Passwords
Get a notepad or small notebook and write out your passwords for all of your accounts to remember them. (Some ideas include your: Google account, social media accounts, accounts for websites you signed up to, etc.)
13. Poetry and art journal
Use this notebook to write your poetry and copy down poetry from other poets. This notebook can also be a hybrid of an art journal and a poem journal. Express yourself creatively and don't worry too much about making mistakes.
The more imperfect it is, the more raw and real it seems to be. Just like scrapbooks, use scrap pieces of paper, magazines, photos, stamps, stickers, and anything else you think fit.
Photo by shifa sarguru on Unsplash
14. Language notebook
If you are learning a new language, a great idea is to start a language notebook because this will allow you to keep track of vocabulary you have learned. You can make calendars where you will be able to set language-learning goals, you can write out grammar rules and notes, and you can practice writing in the language. For example, I like to journal in the languages I am learning.
In this way, I am able to review basic vocabulary that I use on a daily basis. If you are taking online lessons (like Duolingo, for example), you can also keep track of your progress.
If you want some advice on learning a new language, go check out my article 8 Effective Tips on How to Learn a New Language.
15. Sketchbook
Whether you are an avid artist and love drawing or you have only started getting into drawing, a sketchbook is a must-have. This will allow you to practice drawing and sketching before you move onto bigger projects like painting. You could sketch homes in your neighborhood, people, or anything else in your environment.
16. Nature journal
Press flowers, leaves and other botanicals into your notebook. Label them: what they are, where you found them and when you found them. Be sure to add lots of photos and drawings for a visual aspect.
I like to use watercolors and paint the area I'm in. For example, a garden or a park. You can also use this journal to keep track of the plants you plant in your garden.
You could make a chart with the name of the plant, when you planted it and how often it needs to be watered, etc. You can make before and after photos of your garden or take a photo of your garden every month and put it in your journal to keep track of its progress.
If you go camping or hiking, also record those adventures in this journal! Insert pictures of the mountains you saw, or the animals you spotted. The possibilities for a nature journal are endless... explore different ideas and see what you like best!
Photo by Emily Park on Unsplash
17. School notes
Use any notebook you have to take class notes for any of your classes. A good tip is to color-code certain sections. For example, the lesson's title, the header, should always be one color so that you can distinguish it from the rest of your notes. You can also use different colors for subtitles, definitions, examples, dates and events, important information, key terms, additional information, etc.
18. Recipe log
Keep track of ALL the recipes you want to try, your favorite recipes, etc. You can even separate the notebook by section (breakfast foods, lunch ideas, dinner, desserts, TikTok food hacks, and drinks). It's your very own personalized recipe book!
19. Back-and-forth journal
Pen-paling is making a comeback, and we couldn't be more excited. The basis of the back-and-forth journal is to write letters to someone and send the notebook to a friend, relative, or anyone else, and get them to write you a letter back on the next page. You might also want to insert some photos, write some poetry, make some art, etc. From this you will have a shared journal and collection of back-and-forth letters that you are sure to treasure for a long time.
Photo by fotografierende from Pexels
If you have any empty notebooks lying around, these 19 ideas were hopefully able to inspire you to fill them up. You can choose to mix-and-match different ideas, or you can have one notebook dedicated to every idea. Remember that you are not limited to these 19 ideas.
The possibilities to fill up your notebooks are endless, so don't feel pressured to use them for a single purpose. Now go and have fun with it!
